After 13 overdoses in a week, Attleboro Police arrest three in fentanyl bust

Attleboro Police dealt with 13 overdoses in the month of May alone, but after a fentanyl bust on Tuesday, none have been reported.

Officers knew something strong was out on the street, but thanks to an overdose victim that helped lead detectives to the alleged dealers, police were able to cut off the powerful supply.

Eric Oulette, 24, Jesse Coleman, 24, and Nisy Phan, 31, were all charged with possession and distribution of a Class A substance. Police said they got six grams of fentanyl off the streets, and although the trio was only street-level guys, according to police, they were pushing some really powerful stuff that could be a reason behind the spike of overdoses in the city.

“Stronger than normal heroin on the street we had a number of overdoses and some of the people overdosing were experienced opiate abusers,” said Sgt. Steven Beaudet, an officer with the city’s Problem-Oriented Police Unit. “I can’t recall anything like this for a number of years.”

Officers have been following an investigation into the home on Spruce Lane when they got a break. An overdose victim helped out the investigation, thanks to a program implemented by the department to tackle the opioid crisis.

“If someone overdoses in Attleboro, the Attleboro Police Department police officers are there in plain clothes within the next shift, offering services, seeing what we can do to help,” Beaudet said. “Its everywhere its in every neighborhood its not just in the inner neighborhoods. It’s across the board.”

Police were able to get a warrant and arrest the three men.

Data from the Attleboro Fire Department shows the city has had 56 confirmed opioid overdoses in 2019 with six being fatal.

If anyone in Attleboro is struggling with drug addiction, Sgt. Beaudet is welcoming anyone to give him a call to get the help needed.

He can be reached at 508-222-1212 Ext. 1951.